A Woman’s Guide to the Wild (Sasquatch Books, 2016) by Ruby McConnell covers everything a woman needs to know before heading off into the wild. From handling “lady matters” to a full gear list, McConnell makes sure no woman walks into the woods without having everything she needs. The following excerpt is her list of handy outdoor camping phone apps.
Our phones and tablets are becoming increasingly linked to our way of life, and more and more able to serve as essential outdoor gear for everything from navigation to recipes to an extra flashlight. Below are some of the best outdoor apps to download before heading out.
For all things navigational, try a GPS app, but make sure it’s tried and tested like these two, which have been around for years:
• Motionx GPS
• Backcountry Navigator Pro GPS
For a detailed map of the trail or a description with directions to the trailhead, try one of these trail guide apps:
• AllTrails
• EveryTrail
• Oh, Ranger!
Weather can change quickly, and it is worth it to have a sense of what might be heading your way. Check out these apps for weather, ski, and surf reports:
• AccuWeather
• Ski and Snow Report
• NOAA Ocean Buoys and Times
Not all of us are up on our first-aid or emergency-survival skills, but don’t worry, you can pack a reference guide and extra essentials with you on your phone:
• Red Cross First Aid
• Tiny Flashlight and LED
• Knot Time
• Bike Repair
There are also field guide apps that will show you the constellations, let you look up the name of a bird by its call, or help you identify a plant. Look into apps that suit your interests before you head out.
More from: Woman’s Guide to the Wild
• Camping Considerations for Older Adults
• Unexpected Weather Circumstances While Camping
©2016 By Ruby McConnell. All rights reserved. Excerpted from A Woman’s Guide to the Wild: Your Complete Outdoor Handbookby permission of Sasquatch Books.
